94 BG protege

[TXprotege]

New to forum, correct me if I'm wrong

Bought this 94 SOHC 1.8 B8 for $175 dollars. had 124,xxx miles, new tires and new timing belt.


bought salvage yard trans for $450
new left drive axle $40
fluids & Filter/gasket $70
new exhaust from cat back w/ muffler $100
over all spent around $900 ish to get her running

I've been reading up on OEM upgrades and swaps, but for now she a great daily driver. drive her for work too.

[Mazda_Powered]

car looks pretty clean! what oem upgrades did you have in mind?

[tym2pla7]

oem swap?? how about bpt swap?

[TXprotege]

I was thinking about the newer style miata rims, thicker sway-bars from a escort zx2, and seats & console from a mx-6. i haven't had time to go to the salvage yard though

I've seen a few upgrades for the SOHC. idk if they will work or maybe i haven't done enough research.

I've read up on some bpt swaps. its tempting maybe in the future.

[tehstocker99]

bpt=easy as pie...quite literally, either way you go with it, good luck and welcome to the forum!!

[93_EGT]

He just paid $450- for a replacement used auto trans. Wouldn't have even mentioned BPT, although that trans will work with a BP DOHC 1.8, just need the wiring harness and motor from a Pro LX.
That would be your best upgrade till the trans dies.
My personal opinion is if you wish it were a 5 speed, had a DOHC motor, or had rear disk brakes... all the LX options. Then stick to cleaning that thing up the best you can on a budget while looking for a LX or a Escort GT in good shape and sell yours for one of those.
If your thinking about a ZX2 front sway bar, do it when you got a motor out. The rear ZX2 swar bar is thin trash. From info Ive gathered 91-96 escort wagons have the thickest rear bar.
FYI, when your looking for stuff like transmissions, search on car-part.com to compare prices and see some of what junk yards have available.

[Mazda_Powered]

Escort GT/Wagon and Protege LX have the same rear diameter bar fyi. 21mm solid type.

Dropping the front subframe isn't a bad task, but yea, if the engine's out, do the front bar then. I've done it both ways and either wasn't too bad...either way Energy Suspension polyurethane kit will help a LOT. Same with the rear bar.

Rear disks are an OK upgrade...but I find my 97 Protege w/ rear drums do fairly well for a daily driver...I wouldn't change them to disks if I were to modify the car.

[TXprotege]

the swap only a maybe. I'll end up keeping the SOHC untill it goes out. i Delivery pizzas so im always driving that thing. no time for swaps haha

do need new struts soon.

i heard that about the wagon rear swaybars too. for now ill keep the upgrades simple. like to do something cool though. i saw a lx protoge sitting in someones driveway when i was working. looked like it had been sitting.

thanks for all the info. i like my protege its legit for how much i paid for it

[Mazda_Powered]

626 front lip is always a nice addition too lol

[protegemartin]

Nice score and welcome to the forum!
If you have any Q's about what OEM upgrades work on your car, just check out my signature or pic gallery, or just ask. I'll do my best, but I don't know everything (I'm still learning from the masters on here). The search button is also very helpfull, use it often. (I learn alot of new and differant stuff just from the search button.)
All my mods took a day or less to do, or would leave the car drivable while doing them (I don't have anouther car to use, so it has to be usable at all times).
Some of the stuff on the car don't look pretty, but I'm always trying new stuff to see what works. (and no money means extremely cheap)
Good luck and enjoy your new ride!

[TXprotege]

Been a few years since I've posted. School and work keep me busy, with the occasional crazy gf drama.

No crazy modifications, but simple things to make her look good. Here's a few pictures, I'll post more after class.

Before:


After:



1994 Miata seats

[bogaut]

nice! how difficult was fitting the miata seats in to your pro

[94greenpro]

more pics of the miata seats? there pretty narrow i wonder how they look.

[TXprotege]

It actually wasn't too bad. I used part of tailor leaf spring brackets to extend the inner seat track to center the seat. I used the protege seat tracks and used spacers to lift the seats a little bit to solve any clearance problems. might sound unsafe or ghetto but haven't had any problems yet. Didn't have to cut anything up or drill anything. I'll post pictures later when I get out of class. Next step is replacing the seat speakers and wiring them up.

[TXprotege]

Sorry it's late, have a test tomorrow. here's a few pictures. I'll take better ones when I pull the seats out to do the speakers.

Things I want to do in the future. I've done research using this site, but if any of ya'll have any input:
16 inch miata rims
repaint the bumpers or get new ones
Swap to the DOHC/standard trans
Make the A/C Compressor quiet!
the halo/angel eyes head lights (those are badass)
Things that have made a great impact on the suspension/handling



*Question: how do I make the pictures smaller?












sorry it was dirty, I was just making sure they fit